Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) students are outperforming their peers in Georgia, and across the nation, when it comes to SAT scores. According to data released by College Board and the Georgia Department of Education, the average SAT score of students in GCPS’ Class of 2022 topped state and national averages on both Reading/Writing and Math. Gwinnett’s average score of 1097, (out of 1600), was 69 points higher than the national average, and 45 points higher than the state’s score of 1052. SAT scores are one way students can access scholarships and post-secondary pathways.

GCPS Superintendent Dr. Calvin J. Watts says the results are an encouraging sign. “Our SAT results serve as recognition of our instructional staff and their commitment to successfully preparing students for these important next steps beyond high school,” Dr. Watts shared. “As the father of a college student myself, I also appreciate the critical support that our families provide for our students so that each and every child may realize their full potential.”

This year’s average SAT score is 1097, three points higher than in 2019, the year before the pandemic negatively impacted teaching and learning. These results signal a rebound from the pandemic: the number of students participating in the SAT is increasing, and the performance of GCPS’ African American and Latinx student groups, two historically underserved groups, is above pre-pandemic performance. The highlights don’t stop there. Student performance on the SAT continues to shine the light on GCPS’ world-class schools. The Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (GSMST) has the highest average SAT score in the state of Georgia, and 11 GCPS high schools have average SAT scores in the top 25% in the state. Those schools are GSMST, North Gwinnett, Brookwood, Mill Creek, Peachtree Ridge, Gwinnett Online Campus, Parkview, Mountain View, Duluth, Paul Duke STEM, and Lanier. Class of 2022 data also shows more GCPS students are ready for college math and English Language Arts courses than students were before the pandemic.

“As we implement Our Blueprint for the Future this school year, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) results allow us to celebrate our students’ reasoning abilities, as they continually pursue academic goals and move further toward their college and career pursuits,” Dr. Watts says. “This data also enables us to identify opportunities for growth within our instructional core, and to better support our students’ academic needs.”

Although GCPS students are headed in the right direction academically, there is still work to be done and room for improvement. The district is focused on a number of areas, including increasing the number of students who take the SAT. GCPS is committed to providing every 11th grade student with the opportunity to take the SAT, so every student has the opportunity to pursue post-secondary educational options. In addition, this year all 11th graders will have the opportunity to take the SAT, at no charge, during school hours. The date is Wednesday, October 19.